What role do VM snapshots play in virtual machine management?

VM snapshots are an essential feature in virtual machine management, particularly in providing a mechanism to revert to a previous state of a virtual machine. When a snapshot is taken, the current state, data, and configuration of the VM are saved at that moment. This allows administrators and users to capture a known good state that can be returned to if needed, which is particularly useful during software upgrades, installations, or testing.

Reverting to a previous VM state can help in scenarios where changes made after the snapshot may introduce problems or errors. For instance, if a software installation fails or causes issues, the administrator can quickly revert the VM to the state captured in the snapshot, thus minimizing downtime and disruption.

The other options describe functionalities that do not align with the purpose of VM snapshots. For example, VM snapshots do not permanently delete data; instead, they preserve the current state. They are also not designed to enhance VM performance under heavy loads, nor do they facilitate the sharing of resources among users. Their primary function lies in providing recovery points for virtual machines, making them a vital tool in managing VMs effectively.